The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared that in the past 45 years the monsoon this year is delayed the most.

Mumbai: With the delayed rainfall and the dipping level of water stock in the lakes supplying water to Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday informed that it has begun using the reserved water stock for water supply.

The water stock in the lakes as on Thursday, June 27 was a mere 71,574 million litres, which is 74 per cent less than June 27, 2018 at 2,70,668 million litres. This has painted a picture of extreme water scarcity, as water stock left in all lakes is barely 4.95 per cent. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) declared that in the past 45 years the monsoon this year is delayed the most.

Considering the delay in monsoon, the BMC sought permission from the state government to use the reserved water stock from Bhatsa dam.

The BMC claims that it has now been able to avail 1.71 million litres of water from Bhatsa dam, which can suffice till the end of July for water supply. The city requires a daily supply of 3,500 million litres of water and the civic body has now urged the citizens to use water precisely.

“The BMC is now supplying water from Bhatsa's reserved stock. We now have a stock of 1.71 million litres, which can supply water to Mumbai till July end. The rainfall is not as expected and extremely less as compared to last monsoon. Thus, the water content in the lakes is not rising,” said Ashok Tawadiya, BMC hydraulic engineer.

As on Thursday, live water content in the BMC managed dams were Modak Sagar — 32598 million litres, Tansa — 2356 million litres, Middle Vaitarna — 33480 million litres, Vehar — 1198 million litres and Tulsi —1942 million litres.

Since the water stock in the two state owned dams Upper Vaitarna The water stock the BMC is allowed to use from the two state owned dams Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa has reached zero following which the BMC had to seek permission from state government to use the reserved water stock from Bhatsa.